Analysis of Voice in Parkinson's Disease Utilizing the Acoustic Voice Quality Index.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) in relation to perceptual analysis and disease stage in speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The following data were gathered from the Parkinson's Disease Speech corpus of Tampere University (PDSTU) prolonged vowels and reading samples from native Finnish speakers with PD (n = 34), speaker demographic information, and Hoehn and Yahr scale scores. AVQIv03.01 analysis was completed with Praat. Expert raters utilized the GRBASI scale (GRBASI grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain, instability) to assess voice quality. AVQI scores were analyzed in relation to GRBASI ratings and disease stage, as measured by the Hoehn and Yahr scale, utilizing correlation analysis. RESULTS: AVQI scores ranged from -0.11 to 4.46 (mean = 1.64, SD = 1.39), GRBASI average total scores ranged from 0-1.83 (mean = 0.66, SD = 0.50), and Hoehn and Yahr scale scores ranged from 1- 4. A statistically significant correlation between AVQI scores and GRBASI ratings was found (rs = 0.508, P = 0.01). Several significant correlations were also found between the parameters of AVQI and scores for G, R, B and A from GRBASI. Hoehn and Yahr scores correlated significantly with GRBASI total score (rs =0.437, P = 0.01) but not with AVQI. CONCLUSION: A significant correlation was found between GRBASI ratings and Hoehn and Yahr scores, but not between AVQI and Hoehn and Yahr scores. DATA AVAILABILITY: Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly. Data may be made available on a case-by-case basis. Data will be available after the active phase of the study in 2028.